AjnaLens, a Mumbai-based XR hardware, and software company has joined hands with Tata Technologies to digitize 150 ITIs in Karnataka. The initiative equips ITIs with AjnaXR stations, the VR-based Phygital Training Simulator that provides immersive skill training to drive performance and reduce training costs.
The Karnataka ITI Upgrade into Industry 4.0 aims to upskill more than 9,000 students this year as part of this initiative. By far, this is the largest implementation of a VR-based trade skilling simulator in the world.
“Skilling will drive India through the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Enabling and empowering the grassroots is pivotal to bridging the skill gap. AjnaLens has successfully transformed the ITIs in Karnataka and is ready to create more ripples by cascading the impact to other states of India. It is a well-equipped workforce that will truly harbor India’s future and meet the growing demand of the industry,” Sushil Kumar, Global Head, Govt Projects & Skill Development at Tata Technologies said.
AjnaLens has been working towards creating a tangible impact in the training sector with its innovative ideas backed by cutting-edge technology.
Commenting on the partnership, Abhijit Patil, Co-founder & COO, AjnaLens said, “Collaboration is key to bringing an inclusive and lasting change. We thank Tata Technologies for making us a part of this impactful initiative. Aligned with our vision of Make in India and creating a positive impact at the grassroots, this partnership is a key milestone towards upskilling the current and future workforce of India. Combining immersive virtual experience with actual industry-grade tools paves the most effective and sustainable way to make India’s youth job-ready. Going forward, we plan to multiply the impact by expanding the training module across other states.”
“Upgrading the skilling ecosystem of the country, AjnaXR station provides scalable, data-driven training to the youth. While we are progressing on multiple development indices, the rate of unemployment and skill gap in India are glaring. Our goal is to encourage youth to gain hands-on experience and help them increase their earning potential by becoming employable,” he added.
Enabling the trainees to practice the skills for long hours, the company has built one of the world’s most lightweight VR Glasses which weigh only 153 gms, as compared to the popular international brands which weigh around 500 gms. To help students build muscle memory, AnjaLens has built an innovative tracking system to track real-life tools in the virtual environment, making the product highly scalable for training.
“The initiative will empower youth at the grassroots by exposing them to upskilling opportunities which AjnaXR Station brings to their nearest ITI. The impact-driven startup, AjnaLens, has successfully created direct and indirect employment for students, especially for female ITI students by engaging them to assemble and deliver 300 units of AjnaXR Station. The trained students play the role of peer facilitators, encouraging more students to join and create a scalable impact by bridging the skill gap,” the statement added.